Emma eBook

“Nonsense, errant nonsense, as ever was talked!”
cried Mr. Knightley.—­“Robert Martin’s
manners have sense, sincerity, and good-humour to recommend
them; and his mind has more true gentility than Harriet
Smith could understand.”

Emma made no answer, and tried to look cheerfully
unconcerned, but was really feeling uncomfortable
and wanting him very much to be gone. She did
not repent what she had done; she still thought herself
a better judge of such a point of female right and
refinement than he could be; but yet she had a sort
of habitual respect for his judgment in general, which
made her dislike having it so loudly against her;
and to have him sitting just opposite to her in angry
state, was very disagreeable. Some minutes passed
in this unpleasant silence, with only one attempt
on Emma’s side to talk of the weather, but he
made no answer. He was thinking. The result
of his thoughts appeared at last in these words.

“Robert Martin has no great loss—­if
he can but think so; and I hope it will not be long
before he does. Your views for Harriet are best
known to yourself; but as you make no secret of your
love of match-making, it is fair to suppose that views,
and plans, and projects you have;—­and as
a friend I shall just hint to you that if Elton is
the man, I think it will be all labour in vain.”

Emma laughed and disclaimed. He continued,

“Depend upon it, Elton will not do. Elton
is a very good sort of man, and a very respectable
vicar of Highbury, but not at all likely to make an
imprudent match. He knows the value of a good
income as well as any body. Elton may talk sentimentally,
but he will act rationally. He is as well acquainted
with his own claims, as you can be with Harriet’s.
He knows that he is a very handsome young man, and
a great favourite wherever he goes; and from his general
way of talking in unreserved moments, when there are
only men present, I am convinced that he does not
mean to throw himself away. I have heard him
speak with great animation of a large family of young
ladies that his sisters are intimate with, who have
all twenty thousand pounds apiece.”

“I am very much obliged to you,” said
Emma, laughing again. “If I had set my
heart on Mr. Elton’s marrying Harriet, it would
have been very kind to open my eyes; but at present
I only want to keep Harriet to myself. I have
done with match-making indeed. I could never
hope to equal my own doings at Randalls. I shall
leave off while I am well.”

“Good morning to you,”—­said
he, rising and walking off abruptly. He was very
much vexed. He felt the disappointment of the
young man, and was mortified to have been the means
of promoting it, by the sanction he had given; and
the part which he was persuaded Emma had taken in
the affair, was provoking him exceedingly.